On the prospects for broad public understanding of climate science 10

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1. 

   JMG Posted 10:24 am
   11 Feb 2009

   We're done forWatching Obama's dive into the toxic stew of "bipartisanship" and business as usual on steroids, I've had to confront the fact that I truly no longer think we're going to make any more of an effective response on climate any more than we're going to do anything useful about the great bank robbery of 2001 - 2009 (and counting -- this is the one where the banks rob the customers).  
   We're going to screw around with cap-and-trade schemes to enrich a different set of bastards who come from the same mold as as the last set (and from many of the same Ivy League schools) and we're going to pour as much money down the drain as possible in a vain attempt to keep carburbia going, even as we turn the currency into toilet paper and the atmosphere into a thick, warm blanket.
   So I'm pulling back on climate activism and am instead going to concentrate on growing as much food as I can on my 0.2 acre city lot (probably can put half of that under vegetables and fruit and nut trees).  I spent today working on my sheet composting -- manure, then cardboard, then mulch.
   So I'm not going to argue with the creationists, the biofuelish, the climate change deniers or any combination of the above any more --- it just wastes my time.
   I did find something encouraging recently that the foodies on Grist should know about --
   
   SPIN gardening and SPIN farming (SPIN = Small Plot INtensive).  It's great stuff.  First hopeful thing I've seen since Obama started showing that he's just going to give us a higher class of disappointment.
   http://www.spingardening.com/
   
   http://www.spinfarming.com/
   
   The 5% Project
   
   
   
   Let's live on the planet as if we intend to stay.

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2. 

   biodiversivist Posted 11:19 am
   11 Feb 2009

   The belief by age poll suggests thatattitudes may be changing.
   
   In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world

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3. 

   wesrolley Posted 1:23 pm
   11 Feb 2009

   Politics as if Evolution MatteredLong time activist Lorna Salzman wrote a short book called Politics as if Evolution Mattered.  It is a good thing to read right now.
   While she could not get it published, it is still a source of ideas.
   
   
   
   Wes Rolley
   
   
   
   CoChair - EcoAction Committee
   
   Green Party US

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4. 

   Easterbunny Posted 11:28 pm
   11 Feb 2009

   You missed the word "Americans"......other parts of the world have better education systems.
   Another thought: the question used in the poll is part of the problem. Scientific theories are not things to "believe in". I was asked at a conference dinner recently whether I believed in global warming. It struck me that the question itself was just so wrong. Anyone who phrases the question in this way is unable to distinguish between science and religion. I patiently explained that it's not a matter of belief, it's a matter of whether you understand the evidence. Naturally, the person asking the question had no idea what I was talking about.

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5. 

   Baby Boomer Posted 11:49 pm
   11 Feb 2009

   BeliefThis idea of "Believing" in scientific theories has been bothering me too.  You do not believe in science, you study the evidence and are convinced step-by-step.  I was actually verbally attacked at work because the person said if I believe in evoluation, I couldn't be a Christian.  (I do live in Georgia).  But as I've said before, Christ came to open our hearts and not to close our minds.  

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6. 

   Colin Wright Posted 2:14 am
   12 Feb 2009

   Beware the trolls!But as I've said before, Christ came to open our hearts and not to close our minds.
   
   This belongs on some Christian site -- not Grist. No proselytzing for your company, product or religion, please!

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7. 

   David Roberts Posted 2:41 am
   12 Feb 2009

   Colin,Cut that crap out. It's not for you to say who does and doesn't belong on Grist. Christians are just as welcome as you are and if you can't handle that it's you, not them, that needs to leave.
   
   grist.org

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8. 

   Colin Wright Posted 3:35 am
   12 Feb 2009

   Sorry, Dave...Didn't mean to stand on your toes. Of Course, I welcome the Big Tent approach for Grist. If threads tend towards the theological, I will adjust my reading habits.

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9. 

   amazingdrx Posted 3:48 am
   12 Feb 2009

   Belief in "big savings" is universalFirst Solar mass production of thin film PV has per kwh costs of your own home based rooftop solar power dropping fast.
   Diverse faithbased fundamentalist groups from the Saudis to the Amish are beginning to believe in solar power.  Will they start calling it a gift from Allah? Maybe.
   Anyway you look at it, belief in "big savings" will be justified with a lot of different explanations.  If evolution saved people money, it would be universal gospel in no time at all.
   
   http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin

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10. 

    GreyFlcn Posted 4:27 am
    12 Feb 2009

    re: JMGBasically, we will never come up with with a carbon policy which is prohibitive enough to be meaningful.
    As such, we should set our sights on how to finance low carbon infrastructure.
    (Which oddly, is more of a Nordhaus approach, except "Deploy Now" rather than "wait for the perfect technology".  Also oddly, may use some of the same financing strategies as Nuclear.)
    
    -David Ahlport

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